Textile Workshop

27th November

A little girl said to her teacher "I'm drawing a picture of God"' and her teacher said "but nobody knows what God looks like" and the child replied "well, they will in a minute".
Sir Ken Robinson.
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en#

This quote by Sir Ken Robinson, an English author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts, described my thoughts at the start of the Textile workshop with Sean; a feeling that something unique, new and unknown could be tangibly represented. 

linear study2

The evocative dye through mesh screen print technique used in textile print is similar in method to that of Silkscreen printing, although this process is specifically designed to transfer vibrant colour onto an organic surface which is then 'fixed'. 

linear study1

The concept of Organic surfaces interested me too and the variants of these eg. Cotton, wool, human skin and plaited hair. The possibility or impossibility perhaps of printing onto a human figure, the most complex, perfect organic surface imaginable; hence my reference to the Almighty. A child-like thought 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. 
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1620.html#andersen

I have known Mr. Sean Hennenbury, Textile guru at UWE, for as long as I've had my adult teeth and it was only right that he should be the facilitator into my quest for the divine. 
His jovial and relaxed approach to all things patterned, printed onto any cellulose and fibre based surface, along with his grasp of the chemical and practical 'making' process was inspirational and inherent in the processes he described so animatedly. 
There are obvious parallels between print on fabric and paper; whatever the surface you deal with 'spot' colours. The mantra in Textiles is 'Think HIGH CONTRAST'.

A variety of colour processes exist for adding dye to the fabric. These include Acid Disperse Direct to Thermochromic and Pigment and large format digital printing.

I never thought 'dyeing could be so much fun! 

This initial introduction was my epiphany, sparking the seed of an idea; to use  malleable, flexible cloth surfaces to create a series of textural, figurative studies. 
http://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/tate-papers/lightning-and-rain-phenomenology-psychoanalysis-and-matisses-hand


Becki, SeanShaunShawn's able assistant, discussed the merits of large format digital printing, which in conjunction with Photoshop, could be used to produce sophisticated, cost effective, time efficient designs; in contrast to the more simplistic linear form which has been the basis for some of my current work.  Could my attempt to replicate the essence of the human form printing onto 'skin like' soft fabric with my 'Matisse' inspired designs be perceived as celestial?
http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/exhibitions/future_exhibitions/modern_masters_in_print.aspx
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8834443/Henri-Matisses-books.html?image=7

Stephen Callaghan, the Creative Director of Glasgow Arts Society, said in the 'British Catholic Observer' 24th November 2014, "Artistic treasures can bring us all a little closer to God".

Therefore, if we are all made in 'God's image'  with divine intervention I'm attempting to recreate a little magic on cloth and to the man in white robes, bare feet and the great big bushy beard, I say unto thee... 'He's not wearing any clothes'!